Bullock impressed with Kinston coaching

By Jessika Morgan / Sports Editor

Published: Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 11:55 PM.

JACKSONVILLE — Reggie Bullock recalls when great Kinston High School players returned after graduation to watch him play in Jacksonville’s East Coast Invitational, which just wrapped its 14th year on Sunday.

But the Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard did one better — he came back after draft day.

Kinston drew Bullock to this weekend’s ECI, where he watched the Vikings win the 2014 title over Jacksonville Northside.

Though the Vikings’ team features standout Brandon Ingram, Bullock was most impressed with the Kinston coaching staff. It was a bit different when he came up through the Vikings basketball system; Kinston coach Perry Tyndall was an assistant when Bullock attended the school.

Bullock has often frequented the city since the Clippers selected him 25th overall in 2013.

“I feel like it’s always good to come out and show support to the younger guys that’ve seen me do it when I came up in high school,” said Bullock, who attracted former Kinston star Jeremy Ingram to watch him play in the ECI when he was a Viking. “I feel like I have to do the same thing. Come out and watch Brandon play and the Kinston High basketball team. We have another great player coming out of the city.”

JACKSONVILLE — Reggie Bullock recalls when great Kinston High School players returned after graduation to watch him play in Jacksonville’s East Coast Invitational, which just wrapped its 14th year on Sunday.

But the Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard did one better — he came back after draft day.

Kinston drew Bullock to this weekend’s ECI, where he watched the Vikings win the 2014 title over Jacksonville Northside.

Though the Vikings’ team features standout Brandon Ingram, Bullock was most impressed with the Kinston coaching staff. It was a bit different when he came up through the Vikings basketball system; Kinston coach Perry Tyndall was an assistant when Bullock attended the school.

Bullock has often frequented the city since the Clippers selected him 25th overall in 2013.

“I feel like it’s always good to come out and show support to the younger guys that’ve seen me do it when I came up in high school,” said Bullock, who attracted former Kinston star Jeremy Ingram to watch him play in the ECI when he was a Viking. “I feel like I have to do the same thing. Come out and watch Brandon play and the Kinston High basketball team. We have another great player coming out of the city.”

Wells Gulledge, the camp director and new Arendell Parrott Academy basketball coach, said many are supportive of the four-day event.

“Guys come down … and remember their four years here and the experiences they had,” he said about what draws ECI alumni back to the tournament. “When they come home, it’s something to look forward to each year.”

Gulledge was Bullock’s Kinston High coach and was pleased to see him return to the tournament as a spectator this year.

However, the current coaching staff is what most impressed Bullock as Kinston won the ECI title with a 60-44 victory over Jacksonville Northside on Sunday.

“Not seeing Gulledge out there and seeing coach Tyndall take over and still do well is impressive,” said Bullock, who didn’t participate in Clippers Summer Leaguegames due to a recovering quad injury.

From one former Kinston sensation to a current one, Bullock liked what most regard about Ingram as a basketball player: his length.

“He’s so long, and I feel like he can shoot the hell out of the ball for his height,” Bullock said of Ingram, who scored a game-high 20points in the ECI championship. “He’s real versatile, so he can play inside and out.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.